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Urban-Metabolic Farming Modules on Rooftops for Eco-Resilient Farmscape

Author

Listed:
  • Youhanna E. William

    (Engineering Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

  • Hui An

    (Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services), Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

  • Szu-Cheng Chien

    (Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services), Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

  • Chew Beng Soh

    (Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services), Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

  • Barbara Ting Wei Ang

    (Engineering Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

  • Toshikazu Ishida

    (Department of Architecture and Building Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan)

  • Hikaru Kobayashi

    (Department of Architecture and Building Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan)

  • David Tan

    (NetaTech Engineering Pte Ltd., 512 Chai Chee Lane #06-04, Singapore 469028, Singapore)

  • Ryan Hong Soon Tay

    (Food, Chemical and Biotechnology Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore)

Abstract

The scarcity of land resources and food security challenges have prompted more effective uses of the rooftop as well as façade spaces in the urban city of Singapore. Urban rooftop spaces are used for mechanical and electrical (M&E) amenities such as air-conditioning cooling units and water tanks, so the spacious span of the roof area on HDB flats in Singapore is not available. Urban-metabolic farming modules (UmFm) built on 1.5 to 2 m terrace-step terrains have been modelled using BIM Revit to mimic such constraints in rooftop spaces. CFD simulation was conducted for the structure with consideration of the prevailing wind directions at different months of the year. The airflow with the inclusion of mesh netting and varying tiltings of the polycarbonate side façade was simulated to understand their impact on airflow in the growth envelope of the UmFm units under different prevailing wind directions. The amount of solar irradiance received by the crops at different heights in the UmFm due to the sun’s path, and shading of crops grown on the A-frame, was studied using Climate Studio. A comparative verification was done with a scaffold modular unit mounted with temperature, humidity, airflow, and Photosynthesis Photon Flux Density (PPFD) sensors. The digital model of the UmFm unit enables a prior assessment of site feasibility before actual physical implementation on an existing rooftop. It also facilitates plug and play for the UmFm unit to generate an eco-resilient farmscape for an urban city.

Suggested Citation

  • Youhanna E. William & Hui An & Szu-Cheng Chien & Chew Beng Soh & Barbara Ting Wei Ang & Toshikazu Ishida & Hikaru Kobayashi & David Tan & Ryan Hong Soon Tay, 2022. "Urban-Metabolic Farming Modules on Rooftops for Eco-Resilient Farmscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:16885-:d:1005263
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kosorić, Vesna & Huang, Huajing & Tablada, Abel & Lau, Siu-Kit & Tan, Hugh T.W., 2019. "Survey on the social acceptance of the productive façade concept integrating photovoltaic and farming systems in high-rise public housing blocks in Singapore," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 197-214.
    2. O'Sullivan, C.A. & Bonnett, G.D. & McIntyre, C.L. & Hochman, Z. & Wasson, A.P., 2019. "Strategies to improve the productivity, product diversity and profitability of urban agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 133-144.
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